Application Procedures

The research ethics application is used by faculty, staff, students, and external investigators who plan to conduct research involving human participants at Niagara College or under its auspices (external research studies shall receive administrative consent prior to the submission of the application for ethical review).

In order to avoid any delays, researchers are strongly encouraged to submit their completed application package on or before the scheduled submission date. All applications that are incorrect or incomplete will be returned for completion. If an application is incomplete after the due date, it will not be considered for review at the next REB meeting.

Research Ethics Application Submission Requirements

A completed application including the application checklist

Certificate of completion from the TCPS 2: Core online tutorial from all researchers.

Any substantive changes (e.g., changes that may increase the level of risk to participants) to the last approved research protocol or significant changes to the final approved documentation by the REB;

Unanticipated issues or events that have/may increase the risks to participants;

The proposed changes shall not be implemented without REB clearance, except when necessary to eliminate any immediate risks to the participants.

Activities Exempt from Ethical Review

Although all research involving human participants requires research ethics review, there are activities that are not intended for the purpose of research, such as those administered in the ordinary course of the operation of an organization, or publicly available information.